Is your TV spying on you? The investigation that reveals what happens when the screen is off

An investigation by tech channels Gamers Nexus and Level1Techs reveals that LG smart TVs continue to collect information even when turned off. The researchers claim the devices pick up voice data, scan the home network, and gather viewing data for advertising purposes, even in standby mode. LG denies the main allegations.

An investigation by tech channels Gamers Nexus and Level1Techs, with the help of two security researchers, claims that LG smart TVs continue to collect information even when turned off. The researchers found mechanisms that allow the devices to pick up voice data from the room, identify other devices connected to the home network, and gather viewing data for advertising purposes. According to them, certain activity continued even when the screen was off and the TV was in standby mode. They even claim that disconnecting the device from the internet is not the end of the story, as collected data may be stored on the device and sent to the company's servers once the connection is restored. One of the key findings concerns the voice recognition system: after a voice command is detected, a window of about 10 to 15 seconds remains during which the TV continues to pick up what is being said in the room. At the same time, an ACR system for automatic content recognition operates, building a detailed picture of viewing habits. The investigation points to videos where executives at LG Ad Solutions explain to advertisers the scope of the data collected. The researchers also criticize the terms of use, which span tens of thousands of words, and the fact that consents are pre-checked. LG denies the main allegations: according to the company, voice data is processed only when the remote control button is pressed or a wake word is detected, and the data is not sent to servers if the wake word is not recognized. The company confirmed network scanning but said it is a normal function for connecting devices.